Editorial: Latinos' issues of concern more than immigration

Voices from both sides of the aisle in Washington are embracing comprehensive immigration reform as an area where Congress in coming months can and should find common ground.

It is a welcome -- and long overdue -- undertaking.

On Friday, Republican House Speaker John Boehner told reporters that the issue had "been around too long" and needed to be "dealt with." He said he was confident that parties in Washington could "find the common ground to take care of this issue once and for all."

That Latino voters overwhelmingly supported Barack Obama last week is no doubt one reason many Republicans are showing renewed interest in the issue.

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Obama's performance with Latino voters was the best for a Democratic candidate since 1996, according to the Pew Hispanic Center. The importance of the Latino vote was most evident in the so-called swing states, where the group comprises a growing proportion of the electorate.

We have long supported securing the border with Mexico as one of the first steps that should be taken as part of a reform agreement. Others include a path to citizenship for law-abiding immigrants already in the country, passage of the DREAM Act, creation of an effective guest-worker program, and improved use of the Secure Communities and E-verify programs, which help businesses and law enforcement determine whether someone is in the country illegally.

Sens. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said over the weekend that they would restart their efforts to forge a bipartisan compromise that addresses many of those points.

"And I think we have a darned good chance using this blueprint to get something done this year. The Republican Party has learned that being ... anti-immigrant doesn't work for them politically. And they know it," Schumer said on NBC's "Meet the Press."

But the notion that this is the lone issue for Latino voters -- or that they march in lockstep politically -- is oversimplification.

Throughout the election season, "jobs and the economy" ranked as the top issue for Latino voters. Other issues of concern included education and health care.

As they take on a revamp of immigration policy, politicians looking to appeal to Latino voters would do well to keep those issues in mind as well.

If last week's electoral outcome is the tipping point for finally addressing the issue, we're pleased to see it.

But to do it right, lawmakers must think about it in terms of the country's overall economic well-being as opposed to simply scoring political points.